5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a compound made in the body from the amino acid, tryptophan, that you get from eating protein-rich foods. Once in the 5-HTP state, it goes on to form serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and behaviour, and then is further metabolized into melatonin. Yes, you can depend on tryptophan as a precursor to the development of serotonin, (think protein-rich hot chocolate before bed) but research has shown 5-HTP to be much more efficient at delivering the feel-good hormone to the brain.Serotonin guided by tryptophan on its own is not able to break through the blood brain barrier (your brain’s defense system for keeping out foreign substances) but 5-HTP can. It acts as the password for serotonin to get past the security gates and flood the brain with its mood lifting and sleep inducing properties.CanPrev’s 5-HTP 100 is sourced from the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia and enhanced with Vitamin B6 and Magnesium which are important cofactors to help the body convert and utilize 5-HTP.
